US sends away Chinese ship

Honolulu (AFP) - A US Coast Guard cutter has begun escorting a freighter carrying more than 500 undocumented Chinese nationals towards the Marshall Islands, but it remained unclear where the passengers would be accepted.

There was no confirmation whether the Republic of the Marshall Islands would grant clearance to the East Wood, the Coast Guard said, adding that the final destination of the vessel had not been determined. The cutter, Rush, was given orders to tow or escort the freighter across the Pacific. The Coast Guard said the ship was used to smuggle immigrants to Honolulu.